A sunshower still had rain.
But more importantly, it had the sun!
A 150-power Fire-type ultimate move, corresponding to moves on the same level as [Water Spout] and [Dragon Energy].
Depending on the user, the way this move was unleashed could differ enormously.
And when Volcarona used it, flaming meteors flew from its wings.
They burned the sky crimson and scorched the earth blazing hot.
All things bathed in radiance.
"Oh… a volcanic performance!"
Juan raised an arm in front of himself. When he lowered his elbow, Seaking and Kingdra had both been defeated by a single Eruption, collapsing amid blazing lava and falling meteors. The flaming meteors descending from the sky continued to burst apart like fireworks.
Maximum appeal value: six points.
How should one put it?
"That was truly an astonishing strike! It could be called a [special performance]!"
"As one of the astronomical phenomena, when a meteoroid over one meter in diameter enters the atmosphere, friction with the atmosphere causes it to begin ablating, eventually triggering an airburst…"
"Eruption should originally be a move from the ground. To apply volcanoes and raging flames to such an extent, turning it back into the form of an astronomical phenomenon… this is truly the first time I've seen it. No, I should say that there are very few Pokémon capable of learning this move in the first place."
"A fireball is extremely bright, and it streaks across the sky like a huge, glittering fire dragon. A so-called [daylight fireball]… Ah, yes. How about naming this move that?"
"The move's power and performance level are both beyond reproach! The scores for Beauty and Coolness are… full marks!"
Even Heatran, which lived in volcanoes, normally did not know this move. Only the one in Oblivia had learned Eruption on its own due to the special incident on Fire-Breathing Island.
That was how it should be. How could a Pokémon related to volcanoes not learn Eruption?
They really had limited its strength.
"After a fireball disappears, it leaves a long, cloud-like trail along the path it crossed. That is called a [meteor train]."
The Memory Girl let out a long breath and looked at the Berry Blender Master. "Grandpa, what do you think?"
"I got slapped in the face. Just now, I thought Juan had the advantage, and in the blink of an eye, his Pokémon lost the ability to battle. Still, I liked that final performance very much."
"As for sheen, it is at a ten-star level. Two hundred fifty-five, the highest possible evaluation."
The audience's scoring standards were the Pokémon's condition and sheen.
The Memory Girl said, "Of course. Then, if it is used under sunny weather, it receives an additional +1, for a total of seven points. Each point represents [sixty-three] points."
Using a move of the same category as the one entered would excite the venue. If the excitement level increased, it would add another five points. Add the 255 sheen, then divide by two…
The Memory Girl said, "I see. Five hundred five points. If this were a Pokémon Contest…"
"It would already be [Master Rank]!"
The fifth stage of Master Rank!
Juan brightened with delight.
"It seems this exam will have an elegant and perfect ending. I am extremely satisfied with the examination process so far. At least, up to this point!"
"Now, what sort of corresponding Pokémon will appear next? The next exam categories are [Toughness] and [Cleverness]!"
The Toughness evaluation corresponded to Normal, Steel, Ground, Rock, and Fighting types.
The Cleverness evaluation corresponded to Poison, Psychic, Grass, and Ghost types.
"The next two I send out will be Walrein and… Crawdaunt!"
Juan once again performed the [opening reveal].
"Walrein. Its thick fat protects it from the bitter cold, allowing it to remain calm even below freezing. Its tusks continue growing throughout its life, and its two developed tusks can smash even a ten-ton iceberg with a single blow."
"Crawdaunt. A Crawdaunt tempered by countless battles possesses enormous pincers marked with many scars. In distant regions, it is known as a brutal colossus."
Hikaru closed his eyes.
"Thick Fat Walrein does not fear flames. Shell Armor Crawdaunt cannot be struck by critical hits."
When speaking of ancient wisdom, Ghost and Grass types had to be mentioned. But compared to a careless Aegislash, this one was still a little wiser.
"Ancient wisdom. Long ago, bamboo slips from the Far East recorded the evil deeds of a king. After being stained by resentment, they clung to dead leaves and became Wo-Chien."
Among the ancient Pokémon he carried, most were Walking Wake, that husky; Flutter Mane, that bratty little girl; Aerodactyl, that airhead; Gouging Fire, that grump; Chien-Pao, that hissing kitten; Gimmighoul, that little robber; Genesect, which was somewhere unknown but ready to start a massacre… all of them were that sort of creature.
The only ones that could be called ancient wisdom were Little Snail and the super moose.
The snail draped in dead leaves appeared, rotating its bamboo slips. However, among those withered leaves, there seemed to be golden and silver leaves.
This was an experiment. Perhaps Little Snail, clad in dead leaves and mud, could also be raised to produce Gold and Silver Leaves. After all, leaves were its representative element. If the power on its body that caused plants to wither could be suppressed somewhat… perhaps a strange transformation might appear.
"Although Grass type represents Cleverness, Grass-type performance scores are not especially high…"
"But wisdom can make up for all of that."
The Pokémon entering the field were Wo-Chien and—
Lucario!
"At last, a Steel-type Pokémon appears!"
This was the moment Juan had been waiting for. "I heard you are a Steel-type expert. When you were an Elite Four member and a Battle Leader, you were also famous for Steel types. However, judging by the previous battle, you are also very skilled at using Dragon- and Fire-type Pokémon."
"Combining the information available, it seems you also have extensive involvement with Fighting types. Then, just as I thought…"
"I simply did not expect it to be Lucario. Hm… a Steel and Fighting dual type. Very perfect."
Lucario quietly gazed at the two opponents before it.
Crawdaunt was looked at once, and fear immediately rose in its heart. But the next instant, it reacted.
There was no reason to be afraid just because the other side's Trainer was strong. You blue-furred big dog. So what if you have Justified?
"Justified?"
Hikaru smiled inscrutably and looked at the stunned Crawdaunt.
"Justified can be an Ability, but it can also be a personality and pattern of behavior. When a Pokémon with this Ability is hit by a Dark-type move, its Attack stat rises. If it is a multi-hit move, each strike can trigger the Ability."
"However, my Lucario is slightly different. In the past, it certainly did have Justified."
Lucario focused.
Although it was said to counter Dark types, its own durability was not strong enough. Therefore, the best way to trigger Justified was not by relying on the enemy, but by relying on an ally's [Beat Up].
Generally speaking, though, Beat Up was best used by a Pokémon with weak physical attack, such as Whimsicott. Among Hikaru's teammates, the Falinks who had mastered that technique…
Their damage output was a little too high.
The blue-furred big dog merely shook its head.
If one round of beloved retainer attacks came down, that would truly be [kill your teammate first]. Granted, Falinks' level was not that high, but Lucario's stamina was not especially abundant either.
So it was better to switch to a more powerful new Ability, one suited to its personality and active fighting style.
"My Lucario drank [Ultra Divine Water]."
Hikaru's smile made Crawdaunt's heart pound. It sensed danger approaching.
Even Walrein was very surprised.
Why are you acting like you have [Anticipation]? What exactly did your [Dark-type] qualities detect from that [Fighting-type] Pokémon?
Stop being a riddle lobster and say it already!
Juan said, "Hm. This Lucario feels somewhat different to me… but whatever it is, this Lucario's spirit and raised condition are both astonishing!"
"As for the other one… hm, decay, resentment, and ancient wisdom. It feels as though it is saying something…"
[Ancient wisdom… A sage never participates in free entertainment activities, because they are very dangerous. For example, the fall of a nation. But I have always been doing dangerous things! I will write your name on the bamboo slips!]
Juan said, "Although I cannot understand it, somehow it feels very wise. Very well. [Cleverness]… I actually saw true wisdom on a Pokémon's face?"
"Then let us begin! [Super Fang]!"
Walrein roared and rose, its sharp tusks striking through the air as it lunged at Wo-Chien. The tusks pierced into Wo-Chien's body, tearing through dead leaves and mud.
"This wound is quite serious. Since the examiner has so many conveniences, I should at least be allowed to show off."
"Points will definitely be deducted."
Juan waved his hand.
Using sharp front teeth, the user bites violently into the opponent. The opponent's HP is cut in half.
However, Walrein itself felt as though it had bitten into rotten mud, and it began spitting out those leaves.
What was that texture?!
Still, there was a reason for using [Super Fang]. It was the setup move for a smooth little combo. Juan smiled faintly.
A fierce stream of salty water surged from Walrein's tusks.
"[Brine]!"
When the opponent's HP has been reduced to around half, this move's power doubles.
"Sprinkle salt onto the opponent's wound. An opponent soaked in brine will feel intense pain!"
"Surprisingly, although Walrein has ferocious tusks, overall, its special attacking moves have greater power!"
"Therefore, this move will absolutely—"
Water was not very effective against Grass. But because Brine's power doubled, that disadvantage was offset, and it could even lead smoothly into a third move.
"[Blizzard]!"
Starting with Super Fang and ending with Blizzard. A perfectly smooth combination of moves, all while Walrein itself had not taken even the slightest damage.
Walrein was just about to use its freezing ultimate move, but in the next instant, boundless hatred surged from the withered grass and leaves covering Wo-Chien's body.
It struck Walrein violently, interrupting its attack.
Little Snail said, [Rotten trees, withered leaves, sticky mud—this is my resentment. The wise seek strength within, not without. What I mean is, not with contact moves.]
Wo-Chien's eyes flashed faintly. The power of resentment surrounded Walrein, fiercely cutting down its life force.
Juan was slightly startled. "What is this? The same move?! The power… no, it has no power!"
Hikaru explained, "This is the legend of a fallen nation: [Ruination]! Wo-Chien symbolizes an ancient minister who understood the past and present and knew the rise and fall of dynasties. Ancient sins are engraved into history."
"[Giga Drain]."
A green wave of energy surged violently from Wo-Chien's bamboo slips, stealing Walrein's stamina.
Unfortunately, it was only Giga Drain.
If it were [Strength Sap]… Wo-Chien's final missing puzzle piece would be complete.
Juan said, "Oh, [Ruination]… a move I have never seen before. [Dark type], is it? Then this Pokémon is Grass/Dark."
"How should I evaluate this move's score? In any case, if it is related to legends of a fallen nation and the like, then it would be a historian recording ancient documents…"
"It seems that its raising route focuses on [searching for historical records] rather than [battle]! That is a cultivation path I have never seen before. After all, Pokémon with extremely high intelligence and historical relevance are quite rare."
Wo-Chien said, [How can civil officials and military generals be lumped together?]
This humble snail is not skilled in martial force. That is a problem with my move pool. Wait until I learn Strength Sap, then I will perform again! At that time, it will be "super wisdom tells me that now is the time to use super strength"!
Next move!
Rotten leaves flew all over the sky, wrapping around Walrein. Walrein was shocked as it was swallowed by endless leaves and by a tremendously powerful—
[Leaf Storm]!
Using countless leaves, the user whips up a deep-green storm against the opponent. After use, the recoil sharply lowers the user's Special Attack.
The move's power was as high as 130!
Juan stroked his mustache. "Well done! However, Crawdaunt has already completed its boost."
Crawdaunt's physical Attack was extremely high. Although its Ability was not [Adaptability], thanks to its exceptional physical power and its title as [King of the Gutter], it still had a place on the battlefield.
Among "rotten fish and shrimp," the rotten shrimp was Crawdaunt!
But this rotten shrimp was no joking nickname, because—
"[Dragon Dance]!"
Even a rotten shrimp from the roadside could Dragon Dance. Paired with Adaptability, it would reach explosive levels of damage. That was its greatest capital.
Ultra Divine Water? Never heard of it. So what if you drank some water? I drink water every day in the gutter and in Sootopolis City!
Juan said, "[Close Combat]!"
Maximum appeal value: six points! Dragon Dance into Close Combat!
Crawdaunt had danced Dragon Dance an unknown number of times, but its pincers were covered in dense scars. Those were proof of its many battles. To Crawdaunt, smooth, beautiful pincers were actually ugly.
Its huge pincers snapped forward.
An unbroken chain of strikes, close-range blows like surging waves. If even one attack grazed the target, it would injure. If it landed, it would kill.
Whoosh—
The air current from the enormous pincers pierced forward, yet nothing happened. That Lucario merely shifted its body slightly, as though it had not moved at all.
Lucario quietly watched Crawdaunt, fully focused.
"It cannot hit?"
"Again." Juan saw where the trick lay. "No desire to counterattack. Is this a performance of [Toughness]? But if it does not fight, can that truly be called tough? Generally speaking, Toughness means power. You should display the power of moves."
"But…"
As Crawdaunt attacked fiercely, Lucario's figure moved like an illusion, dodging again and again.
On the other side, Walrein's situation was not especially good either. That snail that knew history had trapped it with Leech Seed.
Juan's expression grew serious.
"Something is wrong… Why can't it hit? How is it unable to strike?"
Although Crawdaunt's Speed was not particularly high, things were different after Dragon Dance. Now, repeatedly using Close Combat was instead causing its stamina to drain rapidly. It was already panting.
Dragon Dance was not a transformation that only emphasized power. Speed rose alongside it.
"Mind Reader, Odor Sleuth, or Detect?"
Juan was experienced and knowledgeable. He was well aware of certain moves capable of seeing through attacks. After all, he was older, and he had both a student and a grandstudent.
Hikaru said, "None of them. It is a new Ability: [Swordplay]!"
"Ki is the energy hidden inside living beings. By sensing ki, one can judge the opponent's approximate strength."
"After raising one's ki to the limit, the power and speed of one's punches reach astonishing levels."
"Feel the movements of ki and aura."
"This Ability allows the body to move on its own and evade direct incoming attacks!"
Although in the Ransei region, the Swordplay Ability was rather underwhelming among the three evasion Abilities, if paired with Mind Reader and Odor Sleuth… Besides, by now, there should not be many Pokémon in Ransei that still possessed unique Abilities.
And look at Swordplay's superior Ability, [Dodge]. Panpour, Cinccino, Gothita—everyone used it! Did those guys even know how to use it properly?
Moreover, Swordplay was not completely unrelated to the main games.
In the Pokédex description of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Lucario can emit "waves of energy" and "freely guide them," using this ability to discern the truth and falsehood of distant opponents.
Although Professor Laventon said he named that power aura.
In reality, the name aura had existed for a thousand years already. Moreover, the Galaxy Team also had Rye, a descendant of Sir Aaron. Therefore, Professor Laventon's claim that he named it did not really hold up. Most likely, he wrote it down after asking Rye about it.
Lucario raised its paw. It had already elevated its spirit to the limit.
This new Ability was extraordinary. As long as it used it flexibly and trained this Ultra Instinct to the highest level—
Hikaru said:
"Listen closely to the sound of flowing water. Hear the movement of fish within the water. The faintest airflow will stir a breeze."
"Sometimes, what we call strength is as silent as the sky and swifter than lightning!"
Ultra Instinct!
Lucario's fist was enveloped in true ki. When it dodged, it could evade any direct attack. When it struck, thanks to Mind Reader's lock-on—
Every attack would be guaranteed to hit!
A huge fist of true ki struck continuously with unstoppable force.
It decided the outcome of this match.
The battle-hardened Crawdaunt and Walrein silently collapsed, as if amid the changing of nature itself. Like falling leaves withering, after everything had passed, all returned to silence.
The Hero of Aura placed a palm against its chest and let out a low hum, as though in mourning, announcing the end of this Toughness exam.
[A powerful ki… has vanished.]
"Truly… astonishing!" Juan did not know what to say. His expression was extremely serious as he looked at the equally shocked Memory Girl and Berry Blender Master.
"This is the first time I have seen this type of [Toughness] display."
"As silent as the sky and as swift as lightning."
"The sky is usually clear and calm, but weather is ever-changing. Typhoons and torrential rain will come to test our [Toughness] battle styles and the results of our training. This can be called full marks!"
"However, for [Cleverness], because of the lowered Special Attack and the injuries sustained, I must lower the evaluation slightly…"
As Juan said this, he discovered that Wo-Chien's body seemed larger than before. He abruptly raised his head and realized that the sunlight had grown stronger.
The vanished [sunny weather] had returned, and the opponent had used—
"So that is it. It is [Growth]!"
"Ha-ha! It seems the final score… I withdraw what I just said." Juan stroked his mustache again, which meant he was in a very good mood. Although his side had been suppressed, as an examiner, being suppressed by the examinee meant that the other party's level was exceptionally high.
That was only natural. In terms of battle, the opponent was a Champion, someone on the same level as his student, Wallace.
Juan said, "A sage seeks strength within. So that is what it means."
"Under sunny weather, Growth raises both Special Attack and Attack by two stages. What was lost will eventually be recovered. Rather than [Cleverness], perhaps this should be called [wisdom]."
"You have indeed passed the [Toughness] and [Cleverness] exams."
"The final category is… [Cuteness]."
Hikaru said, "Unfortunately, I do not have a Normal-type Pokémon representing cuteness on hand. As for Fairy type, I do have two, but their raising methods differ somewhat from traditional cultivation."
"And as for [Water], I am not very good at that either…"
Juan laughed heartily. "You are being rather modest. I heard from Steven that you once used a Water-type Pokémon to repel Groudon at the Embedded Tower."
"That absolutely cannot be called being bad at it. At most, it means you do not have enough Water-type Pokémon on hand. That is why I said the Milotic you once encountered but did not catch was such a pity."
"My final Pokémon is naturally Milotic."
Juan's Milotic was also an anime-exclusive Pokémon.
After all, his team could not overlap too heavily with Mr. Wallace's, especially when it came to an [ace] Pokémon. But Wallace was not here now, so free interpretation was allowed.
Still, when Hikaru thought about it, it was rather strange.
As Wallace's teacher, even if Juan did not have Milotic in his game lineup, he should at least have been given Gyarados. After all, those two had a corresponding relationship.
Yet both Gyarados and Milotic were on Wallace's team.
Juan, as the teacher, got neither of them. Not only that, the strongest Pokémon in his lineup were actually the frog and the Dragon King.
Though in practical combat, rain-based Perish Song was indeed quite powerful. In real battles, it might even be stronger than Gyarados and Milotic.
"Milo~!"
Juan's Milotic was elegant and beautiful. As for its Ability, of course it was [Marvel Scale]!
When Milotic was afflicted by a status condition, its skin became as tough as steel.
When under a status condition, its Defense rose to 1.5 times its normal value.
If, in a Double Battle, it inflicted paralysis on itself or held a Flame Orb, its Defense could increase dramatically, soaring from 79 to 118. Combined with 125 Special Defense, 95 HP, and the move [Recover], it would become an extremely difficult Water-type wall to break through.
Even among event-distributed Milotic, the [Mightiest Milotic] carried a Flame Orb!
"As for the [Water] category, I believe no one can question your training results. Even if you have only two such Pokémon, that is enough to call you an expert."
"The hero of the sea and the ancient water dragon. For someone like me, who loves Water-type Pokémon, if those two appear, they have already won. However, that is only my personal judging standard. If I alone were conducting your exam, perhaps I would end the battle right now."
"Therefore, I will relax the standard for the final category. You may use any Pokémon… as long as you believe it is [cute], and as long as it can make us feel that it is cute."
"What do you two think?" Juan looked at the Memory Girl and the Berry Blender Master. The two behind him had no objections.
The Memory Girl smiled. "The first four categories have already been passed perfectly. Although the final category should technically be carried out strictly according to the standard, I think I understand why Mr. Juan said that. You want to see that Pichu, don't you?"
Juan scratched his head. "Oh my, you discovered it."
"After all, that was truly a stunning encounter. But you also read its memories, so don't you want to see it?"
The Memory Girl smiled without speaking. As for the Berry Blender Master, he indicated that he did not mind.
"It is fine. Pokémon are all cute things. I like them all, no matter which one. Let us follow Juan's idea."
"Pi, chu!"
The Spiky-eared Pichu, which had been watching the battle from the side, perked up its ears and eagerly leapt into the battlefield.
To the ancient Spiky-eared Pichu, it did not understand what an exam was.
But in any case, this was a battle, just like back in Mahogany Town. It just had to perform lightning fireworks, right?
Electricity surged from Pichu's body.
Juan said, "Lightning at that level will not affect my final—no!"
Dazzling lightning carved an unbelievable trajectory through the air.
It was as if the lightning had its own life and consciousness, circling continuously around Milotic. At times, the light wave's path even made right-angle turns from angles that should have been completely impossible.
"Oh, oh, oh! Is this what I was waiting for? Milotic, look quickly. This lightning is actually alive!"
"It is moving freely, beautiful and dazzling, just like you in the water!"
"Brilliant, splendid lightning. It is neither Thunder nor Thunderbolt! What kind of technique is this? I have never seen this move before!"
Spiky-eared Pichu waved its little hands in place, controlling the lightning's path.
Hikaru said, "Partner move, [Zippy Zap]. The closer Pichu is to its Trainer, the stronger this move becomes. As for the way the lightning's light wave resembles a living life-form…"
"Manipulating the orbit of energy waves is a technique I learned from a certain friend!"
"And no matter what, Zippy Zap's attack is guaranteed to hit!"
Juan said, "So that is what it is! What an unbelievable ultimate move. But my Milotic's defenses are extremely strong. Ignore that lightning and use [Iron Tail] directly!"
No matter which Trainer used Milotic—
Whether it was Juan, Wallace, or Cynthia—
They all seemed to like giving Milotic the move [Iron Tail].
Of course, in real battles, whether Iron Tail could hit depended entirely on the Trainer's skill. But in player battles, no one would ever carry Iron Tail because of that terrifying seventy-five accuracy.
If accuracy is not absolute, then it is absolutely inaccurate.
Three consecutive misses would directly trigger a loud roar, then an instant rage-quit and a shameful exit from the game!
Boom!
The brilliant lightning struck Milotic. Unexpectedly, the power of this electricity was far beyond imagination. It was not the kind of lightning a Pokémon like Pichu should be able to unleash.
Milotic endured the super-effective lightning, used Iron Tail, and struck Pichu!
If a child's face got bruised, it would not be cute anymore.
But Hikaru simply commanded the Pichu, which had been sent tumbling, with only a sigh.
Spiky-eared Pichu immediately understood what Hikaru wanted to do.
Same as last time, right?
That was my specialty!
An attack of this level, compared to Giratina's assault last time and the conflicts of ancient times, did not hurt that much!
Because I was hit so many times, I learned to endure. That is how Pokémon survive!
"[Pain Split]."
Milotic's life dropped dramatically, while Pichu's rose.
The side with higher HP suffered more from this move.
What was quite astonishing was that Pichu's base HP was only 20. Even after evolving into Pikachu, it was only 35. Partner Pikachu had the highest base HP, but even that was only 45. What kind of concept was that? It was not even higher than Deoxys's lowest stat, HP.
Yet no matter how Ash fought, he could always make Pikachu hang on. He could even go back and forth against every sort of monster and godlike being. As expected of the Pikachu jinchūriki!
Based on the existence of more than one hundred Master Trainers in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Ash absolutely had to receive the title of [Pikachu Master].
"Speaking of which, I also have a completely useless Tauros Master title… Hm. When I go to Alola, will I get a discount if I ride a Tauros out from the roadside?"
Hikaru complained inwardly. The moment Milotic cried out in pain, Pichu seized its tail, then blew it a kiss.
Do not misunderstand. I am not doing this because you are pretty, though you really are pretty! But I am female too!
Sweet Kiss. The user kisses the opponent in an angelically cute way, causing confusion.
Milotic became confused!
Pichu landed on the ground and stored electricity inside its body, forming an energy sphere.
Charge! It raised its own Special Defense, and the power of its next Electric-type move would increase by 1.5 times.
Although Miraidon had already used it.
Still, my specialty Electric move is different from that one!
Swift and fierce electricity shot forward at that moment.
Juan said, "Charging while wrapped in electricity… Is that [Volt Tackle]?!"
Hikaru said, "Ah, you actually know it. But no, it is not that super-powerful recoil move. It is a skill slightly weaker than Volt Tackle, but stronger under specific conditions."
"It is called [Zippy Zap]!"
Although its power was only 50, it had +2 priority, 100 accuracy, and guaranteed critical hits.
Same-type attack bonus multiplied it by 1.5, critical-hit damage corrected it by 2, and it was further strengthened by the Zap Plate it carried.
This one move received three boosts, causing its power to skyrocket to 180.
And if Charge were added on top—
A tiny body, immense power!
"Maximum power, 360. Flying Thunder God Technique!"
This preemptive flash from Pichu directly sent Milotic flying. Pichu landed where it stood, controlling the orbit of Zippy Zap's energy waves and striking Milotic fiercely again from a direction it could not defend against.
Brilliant lightning fireworks burst in the air above the battlefield, exploding with loud bangs like dazzling fireworks.
"Heave-ho!"
Spiky-eared Pichu raised her hand.
From today onward—
I am… She raised a finger, copying Victini's victory pose!
Hikaru said, "I shall call you the [Yellow Flash of Michina]!"
"You passed all five evaluations. Remarkable. As for the final Cuteness…" Juan glanced at the other two. The two of them had clearly already been charmed by Pichu's ability to control fireworks and lightning paths everywhere.
No objections!
"So cute!"
"I like this one!"
Standard evaluation lines from Pokémon Contests had actually appeared in an Evaluator exam, leaving Hikaru with no choice but to shrug helplessly. But at that moment, Juan applauded Hikaru, offering sincere praise.
"A top-class Pokémon Breeder! A legendary Breeder who achieved full marks in types, Abilities, tactics, and all five judging categories!"
Juan walked to a machine at the edge of the venue, operated it for a while, and finally took out two certificates.
A certification for an ordinary Pokémon Breeder, and a certificate for Top Pokémon Breeder: Evaluator!
"It is not over yet. Although this does not count as a Pokémon Contest, [badges] are also necessary proof. Or perhaps I should say [Ribbons], since that would be easier for you to accept?"
The Memory Girl brought over a box. "Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Cleverness, and Toughness. All five are Master Rank Ribbons. Of course, possessing these five Ribbons allows you to participate in any level of Pokémon Contest while also displaying your rank as an Evaluator."
"As I said, although all of them are Master Rank, there are still eight internal levels of superiority. But Master Rank contestants are already top-tier Pokémon Coordinators."
"There is also one special Ribbon: the Portrait Ribbon."
"It is awarded to Pokémon that win a Master Rank contest in the Hoenn Pokémon Contests with outstanding results. With this Ribbon, a Pokémon can become a model for the Lilycove Museum. Its portrait will be hung in the Crystal Art Gallery as a work of art for people to view."
"Although this was an Evaluator exam, I believe you have indeed reached Master-level standards. Therefore, issuing this Ribbon should not be a problem, right?"
The Memory Girl took a deep breath. "At the same time, congratulations. You have become Hoenn's seventh Evaluator!"
...…
Behind the curtain.
A girl with bluish-green hair had watched all of this as a hidden guest.
Although there had been no situation where someone killed the previous captain in front of two hundred people…
The previous captain really was here!
"So he killed two hundred spectators instead… Wait, wait, wait! When did that happen?!"
"An Evaluator exam was actually passed by someone I don't even know…"
"Gorman, tell me. What exactly am I still lacking? What am I missing?"
The man's voice came from the phone.
"Just stop constantly talking about Master Brendan and Lady May!"
(End of Chapter)
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